A Cambridge University academic has appeared in court charged with possessing and distributing indecent images of children.

Professor Simon Jarvis, 53, a poetry specialist based in the university’s English faculty, entered no pleas to the 12 allegations in a brief appearance at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court today (February 24).

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Jarvis, who has short grey hair and wore a grey suit, white shirt and blue tie, spoke only to confirm his name, age and address, to say he understood the proceedings and that he did not wish to give an indication of plea.

He was bailed to appear at Cambridge Crown Court on March 24, with bail conditions including not to have any unsupervised contact with under-18s.

Jarvis, of Romsey Terrace, Cambridge, was arrested by National Crime Agency officers in September last year.

A Cambridge University spokeswoman said: “The individual has been suspended pending an internal investigation; however, it would not be appropriate to comment further while legal proceedings are active.”